Arrive at Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan.
Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Pedestrian Crossing
Statue of Hachiko is a memorial to a loyal dog. Nearby is the busy multidirectional crossing.
Check-in at hotel in Shibuya.
Yoyogi Park
Free. Always open. Cherry blossom trees.
Meiji Shrine
Free. 5am–6pm daily. 12 metre high torii gate and decorative sake barrels.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
¥200. 9am–4pm (gates close 4.30pm). More than 1000 cherry blossom trees, hanami spot and landscaped gardens.
Sumida Park
Free. Always open. Cherry blossom spot. Views of Tokyo Skytree and Sumida River.
Sensoji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple)
Free. Always open. Main Hall 6am–5pm. Iconic temple with large red lanterns, Thunder Gate and Nakamise shopping street.
Ueno Park
Free. Always open. Illuminations during cherry blossom season 5pm–8pm. Cherry blossom and hanami spot. Toshogu Shrine.
Lunch at lake. Stand on Mount Fuji. Boat ride on Lake Ashi and ropeway up Mount Komagatake in Hakone.
Buy Nohi bus ticket to Shirakawago for tomorrow from Takayama Hida Bus Centre next to train station.
Check-in at ryokan.
Stroll around village. See Gassho-zukuri houses.
Wada House
¥300. 9am–5pm daily. Largest of 114 thatched roof houses.
Ogimachi-Jyoshi (Observation Platform)
Panorama of village.
Old Private Houses
Edo merchant houses and speciality shops.
River walk lined with cherry blossom trees. Stroll through streets of Takayama.
Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
¥820. Free entry to Sakurayama Nikkokan Museum with ticket. 8.30am–5pm daily. Ornately decorated floats.
Sakurayama Nikkokan Museum
¥820 with Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall. 8.30am–5pm daily. Intricate miniature replica of Nikko-Toshogu.
Karakuri Museum
¥600. 9.05am–4.25pm daily. Handmade mechanised puppets.
Higashiyama Walking Course
Series of temples and shrines.
Takayama Jinya
¥430. 8.45am–5pm. Historical government office.
Check-in at hotel.
Heian Shrine
Free. 6am–6pm daily. Garden ¥600. 8.30am–4.30pm. Vermillion buildings and beautiful gardens.
Nanzenji Temple
Free. 8.40am–5pm daily. Huge Sanmon Gate and aqueduct. Tranquil setting.
Path of Philosophy
Cherry blossom trees. Picturesque walk along the canal, towards Ginkauji Temple.
Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
¥500. 8.30am–5pm. Sand garden.
Kinkakuji Temple/Rokuonji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
¥400. 9am–5pm daily. Shimmering Golden Pavillion reflection.
Himeji Castle
¥1040 with Kokoen Garden. 9am–6pm, last entry one hour before. Most complete and best castle in Japan.
Kokoen Garden
¥1040 with Himeji Castle. 9am–5pm. Nine gardens within one garden.
Namba Walk and Dotonbori
From the station, walk through the Namba Walk underground shopping area to Dotonbori. Restaurants, shops and canal.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Free. Always open. Wonderful vast green grove full of bamboo.
Miyako Odori Show
¥4800, advance booking. Only in Apr. Geisha performance and tea ceremony.
Yasaka Shrine
Free. Always open. On main road. Vermillion shrine.
Kodaiji Temple
¥600. 9am–5pm. Includes Kodaiji Sho Museum. Many quaint structures and gardens.
Isuien Garden and Nieraku Museum
¥900. 9.30am–4.30pm daily in Apr. Landscaped gardens.
Todaiji Complex. Todaiji Temple Daibutsuden
¥500. 8am–5pm daily. World's largest wooden building and huge Buddha statue.
Nigatsudo Hall
Free. Always open. Views of Nara.
Kasuga Taisha
Free. 6.30am–5pm daily. Main Sanctuary ¥500. 8.30am–4pm daily. Lanterns and vermillion shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Free. Always open. Opposite JR Inari station. Thousands of torii gates.
Kiyomizudera Temple
¥400. 6am–6pm. Large stage on stilts. Great views of Kyoto.
Roam around the South Higashiyama Area and charming narrow lanes.
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
Free. Always open. Includes palaces and Imperial Household Agency for tour bookings.
Sento Imperial Palace and Kyoto Omiya Imperial Palace
Free, advance booking. New timings since July 2016 9am, 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm. Closed Mon (Tues if Mon bank holiday).
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Free. Since July 2016 9am–5pm, no advance booking required. Closed Mon (Tues if Mon bank holiday).
Teramachi Street
Long street filled with shops, art galleries and a shopping arcade. Many closed on Mon. Visit Kamiji Kakimoto paper shop.
Kyoto International Manga Museum
¥800. 10am–6pm. Closed Wed. Wall of Manga.
Peace Memorial Park inludes A-bomb Dome and Cenotaph
Check-in at ryokan.
Daishoin Temple
Free. 8am–5pm daily. Many unique statues in temple complex.
Itsukushima Shrine
¥300. 6.30am–6pm daily. Vermillion shrine on stilts in the sea.
Floating Torii Gate
Make several visits at different times of the day.
Miyajima Ropeway and Mount Misen
Round Trip ¥1800. 9am–4.30pm daily. Primeval forest and great views.
Floating Torii Gate
Final look at this stunning vermillion structure.
Check-in at hotel.
Tokyo Imperial Palace and East Gardens
Free. East Gardens 9am–5pm. Closed Mon (Tues if bank holiday Mon) and Fri.
Tokyo International Forum
Free. 7am–11.30pm daily. Stunning glass and steel architecture.
Ginza
Shopping area with designer shops and 12-storey Uniqlo store.
Rinnoji Temple
¥900 combination ticket with Taiyuinbiyo Mausoleum. 8am–5pm daily.
Toshogu Shrine
¥1300. 8am–5pm daily. Richly decorated. Three wise monkeys.
Taiyuinbyo Iemitsu Mausoleum
¥900 combination ticket with Rinnoji Temple. 8am–5pm daily. Peaceful and ornate.
Shinkyo Bridge
Picturesque bridge.
Akihabara
Electronics and gaming area.
Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward
¥500 with City Museum of Northern Peoples. 9am–7pm. Yellow and blue building.
Russian Orthodox Church
Motoi-zaka Slope
Scenic view.
Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples
¥500 with Old Public Hall. 9am–7pm. Ainu culture.
Wharf
Warehouse, restaurants and shops.
Studio Ghibli Museum
10am–6pm. Closed Tues. ¥1000, advance booking. Animated displays and recreated artists' studios.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Free. South Observatory 9.30am–5pm, North Observatory 9.30am–11pm. Closed some Mon/Tues. Excellent views of Tokyo.
Shibuya
Shopping at department stores. Most open till 9pm.
Sayonara Tokyo and Japan.